# Canadian Armed Forces religious language restrictions > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/canadian-armed-forces-religious-language-restrictions > Updated: 2026-08-12T15:27:20.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. On July 29, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) issued a new directive titled “Spiritual Reflections” that restricts the use of faith-specific language or references to God during official military ceremonies. This policy applies to graduation parades, change-of-command ceremonies, and Remembrance Day commemorations, requiring instead a secular form of reflection to uphold state religious neutrality. While the directive allows for exceptions—including private pastoral care, voluntary religious services, state or military funerals, and Indigenous cultural practices for educational purposes—it prohibits religious language in broader public military settings. Religious leaders have criticized the measure. Bishop Scott McCaig of the Catholic Military Ordinariate of Canada described the policy as a form of religious coercion, while Bruce Clemenger of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada argued that the restriction limits spiritual reflection to a “secularist and characteristically humanist expression.” ## Timeline ### 2026-08-12: Canadian Armed Forces restricts religious language in public spiritual reflections The Canadian Armed Forces has introduced a policy restricting military chaplains from using religious-specific language or mentioning God during public events, sparking criticism from religious leaders. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canadian-armed-forces-restricts-religious-language-in-public-spiritual-reflections ### 2026-07-30: Canadian Armed Forces expands ban on prayer at official ceremonies The Canadian Armed Forces broadened its July 29 directive, banning faith‑specific language at official ceremonies and mandating secular reflections, with exceptions for private worship, funerals and Indigenous‑ 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/canadian-armed-forces-expands-ban-on-prayer-at-official-ceremonies --- Cite as: Canadian Armed Forces religious language restrictions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/canadian-armed-forces-religious-language-restrictions